AS Monaco Basket has officially filed a complaint with the CNOSF to obtain its return to Betclic Élite. In parallel, the club is already preparing its recruitment.
AS Monaco Basket is accelerating. After confirmation of the non-commitment to Betclic Élite by the FFBB Appeals Chamber on August 1st, the Roca Team has officially filed a complaint with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF).
The objective remains the same: to obtain conciliation in order to defend the project for the takeover and recapitalization of the club. The case backed by former NBA player Jamal Mashburn remains the priority. But another avenue has emerged in recent days with Ronaldinho and the Andorran investment fund Clayton Sport.
This situation places Monaco facing a race against time. A hearing before the CNOSF could ultimately be moved up to August 20th, while the club must participate in its traditional preseason camp in Bormio starting August 24th.
Jamal Mashburn’s project remains at the heart of the case
Discussions around Jamal Mashburn have been ongoing for several weeks. The former NBA player and his Helen Holdings consortium are working on a club takeover and recapitalization to meet financial requirements.
AS Monaco Basket announced on August 10th that negotiations with Jamal Mashburn’s teams had “significantly intensified” since the FFBB Appeals Chamber’s decision.
The club had then set August 14th as a target date to reach a comprehensive agreement. The CNOSF complaint ultimately came before the August 18th deadline at 11:59 p.m.
Further developments were reportedly made on Wednesday around the Mashburn project. An agreement with the Monégasque government was notably reached. However, these elements remain reported by the newspaper and have not been the subject of detailed communication from AS Monaco Basket.
The procedure before the CNOSF must now allow the club to defend this takeover project and its return to Betclic Élite.
Ronaldinho and Clayton Sport offer another solution
However, the case is not limited to Jamal Mashburn. A new proposal arrived this week on the desk of Oleksiy Yefimov, general manager of AS Monaco Basket.
As revealed by L’Équipe, Ronaldinho figures in a letter of intent related to a potential takeover of the club. The former Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona player appears alongside the Andorran investment fund Clayton Sport.
This proposal notably includes the settlement of the 2.5 million euro debt owed to the EuroLeague. The project also includes a bank guarantee of five million euros requested by the DNCCG as well as financial support to ensure the club’s continuity over several years.
The Ronaldinho lead therefore constitutes a second option for AS Monaco Basket. The links between the former Brazilian footballer and the Principality have notably strengthened during the last Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, which Ronaldinho participated in with the Barbagiuans charity match.
Nevertheless, this proposal is not the one selected as the basis for the appeal before the CNOSF. Jamal Mashburn’s project remains the priority in the case presented by Monaco.
Recruitment already anticipated by the Roca Team
Administrative uncertainty does not prevent AS Monaco Basket from preparing its roster. The need to quickly know the outcome of the procedure is also explained by the state of recruitment.
The Roca Team must rebuild much of its squad after the 2025-2026 season. However, the club has worked in advance on several French leads to quickly have a JFL base in case of reintegration into Betclic Élite.
Yakuba Ouattara is notably among the options being studied. The 34-year-old guard had a decent season with Paris Basketball. Mathis Dossou-Yovo, 25 years old, who played for Nanterre last season, is also targeted.
Joël Ayayi is also among Monaco’s targets. The 26-year-old player also wore the colors of Paris Basketball last season.
Juhann Begarin remains under contract with AS Monaco despite desires to leave and contacts with several EuroLeague clubs. Axel Toupane is also associated with discussions about the future roster.
These leads could allow Monaco to quickly establish a first French framework. The priority would then be to recruit foreign players.
A few days to rebuild a team
The CNOSF calendar takes on particular importance in this perspective. A hearing moved up to Thursday, August 20th would leave very little time for Monaco before the departure for Bormio, scheduled for August 24th.
A possible reintegration into Betclic Élite would therefore force the Roca Team to accelerate its recruitment. French options already prepared could serve as an initial foundation, while searches on the foreign market should also intensify.
AS Monaco Basket is thus playing on two fronts. The club must convince administratively with its takeover project and, in parallel, prepare a competitive team for the 2026-2027 season.
The appeal before the CNOSF does not yet guarantee a return to Betclic Élite. Conciliation must make it possible to examine the financial guarantees and the project presented by Monaco.
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